There’s also a new chain wrestling mechanic, which is a little interesting. Instead of just starting a match on opposite sides of the ring, wrestlers will begin by getting into an armlock. When this happens, they then need to proceed to play a bunch of mini-games in order to get a dominant position over their opponent. It starts with rock paper scissors, and then continues on to a “sweet spot” minigame, involving rotating the analog stick and holding it in a certain point. It’s an interesting take on locking up with an opponent, but it just feels more complicated, slower, and distracting than the already implemented grapple system, which is the system you will use over the majority of the match.

One of the modes that was absent from the last gen version was the MyCareer mode, which allows you to create your own wrestler and make him rise through the ranks of the WWE. This was one of the most anticipated offerings in the next-gen version and now that I have had a chance to play it I have to say it’s… ok. It’s not bad it’s just unremarkable. The plotlines that you get involved in are shallow, the main events you participate in are few, and in the end it kind of feels like the things that happen to your character are more randomly generated instances rather than one solid narrative. In addition, the fights are long and since so many of them don’t really tie in to the “story” of your custom wrestler, a lot of them feel like a grind. It feels kind of like a career mode from the PS2 era, from back before we knew how to make modes like this more immersive. It’s a decent distraction but otherwise it didn’t wow me.

Everything else basically falls in line with the last-gen version, from roster to modes. This also means that this version has the same problems the last gen version did. The showcase mode simply doesn’t highlight the best matches, nor does it do a good job telling a story. Some of the best features of previous WWE titles, like the ability to make custom storylines and arenas and belts. Heck, WWE 13 felt like a fully fleshed out crowd sourced wrestling game, one of the best actually, now two years later WWE 2k15 offers a drastically reduced feature set and I’m not sure why.

I expected the next-gen version of WWE 2k15 to offer a lot more than the last gen version that came before it. While the differences are noticeable, the extra features aren’t exactly mind-blowing. If you have both a next-gen and a last-gen console, you might as well pick up the next-gen version if you plan on picking up WWE 2k15. However, if you already picked up the last-gen version, there’s not a whole lot of reason to double up. In the end, I stick to the same opinion I had when I played the last-gen version, which was that the game is competent, but you aren’t missing much if you decide to skip over it. Maybe WWE 2k16 will bring make the features we loved from years past.

ByAngelo M. D'Argenio
Contributing Writer
Date: November 18, 2014

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

GraphicsGraphics are probably the one thing the next-gen version has over the last gen version.

3.0

ControlThe controls are mostly the same, but the gameplay is slower.

2.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice ActingNo big changes here, although there are some additional voice quips from the announcers.

3.0

Play ValueStill not enough options or modes to make me happy.

3.0

Overall Rating - FairNot an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend

0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid

2.5 - 2.9 = Average

3.5 - 3.9 = Good

4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy

2.0 - 2.4 = Poor

3.0 - 3.4 = Fair

4.0 - 4.4 = Great

5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Introducing: 2K Showcase: Relive the groundbreaking rivalries of John Cena vs. CM Punk and Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels in a new single player campaign told through your gameplay and historic WWE footage.

WWE Universe and Creation Suite: Create your own Custom Superstar, or customize WWE Superstars and Divas, Move-Sets and entrances. Take control of WWE as your actions shape your Universe: storylines, schedule, rivalries, alliances and more

All-New MyCAREER Mode: For the first time ever, take your custom Superstar through an unprecedented and authentic WWE career spanning countless hours of gameplay. From NXT to RAW, make your way up to the WWE Championship and live the life of a real WWE Superstar. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 only.

Gameplay Enhancements: WWE 2K15 will significantly improve the core gameplay experience through key additions and improvements designed to elevate the franchise now and into the future. By using new motion capture technology, 2K15 includes five times more new animations than any WWE game before. Combined with a brand-new chain wrestling system, WWE 2K15 will take the drama and adrenaline of a WWE match to new heights?just like on WWE TV; Xbox One and PlayStation 4 only

Presentation Overhaul: Proprietary facial and body scanning technology deliver the most realistic WWE Superstars, Divas and Legends EVER. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Only. Listen to Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole call the action with the best commentary featured in a WWE game to date, with more than five times the lines recorded than any other year. WWE 2K15 will also feature a custom soundtrack featuring today's hottest artists, curated by John Cena.